In a closed-door hearing Wednesday, a special court in Juba trying suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven other opposition figures heard the lead investigator present statements from four of the accused.
Media outlets covering the proceedings were barred from recording or live broadcasting to protect the witnesses’ identities.
Maj. Gen. Basilio Thomas Wani, the lead investigator and police commissioner of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, read statements from Puot Kang Chuol, 40, the suspended minister of petroleum; Mam Pal Dhuor, 37, a businessman; Gatwech Lam Puoch, 66, a member of parliament representing Nasir County; and Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, 53, the SPLA-IO chief of staff.
Wani told the court that case number 1,533 was opened against the eight accused on March 20, 2025, by the National Security Service Internal Security Bureau. The charges, filed under multiple sections of the Penal Code Act of 2008, include sharing sensitive information and conspiracy with a militia, the White Army, and other SPLA-IO forces.
In his statement, which was read by Wani, the first accused, Puot Kang Chuol, said he played a “positive role in de-escalating the tension” in Nasir County.
Mam Pal Dhuor claimed in his statement that he was “kidnapped by well-armed security personnel” rather than lawfully arrested. “When I asked them to provide a warrant of arrest, they said no. Then I realized Articles 55 and 54 of the National Security Service Act were being used against me.”
He also stated that the Nasir incident was not the first clash between the South Sudan People’s Defence Force and the White Army, noting that previous incidents had been resolved amicably.
Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam alleged he was subjected to torture and restrained in chains during the investigation.
The case stems from deadly clashes in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, in March 2025, which the government alleges involved Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-in-Opposition (SPLM/A-IO). The accused face charges including treason, crimes against humanity, mass murder, terrorism, and destruction of property.
The prosecution requested an adjournment, stating the investigator was fatigued after presenting the statements of four accused. The hearing was postponed by presiding judge James Alala Deng to Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, for the presentation of statements from the remaining four accused, including Machar.
Following the reading of all statements on Friday, the prosecution will be granted the opportunity to present its evidence and question the investigator. Subsequently, the defense will proceed with its cross-examination of the investigator, in accordance with established judicial procedures.